In a move that’s essentially unprecedented for a private institution in Ohio, Wilmington College will recognize transfer students’ general education courses taken at two-year schools as satisfying WC’s graduation requirements.

Students nationwide who are eligible to take advantage of this new policy will have been admitted to WC possessing either an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution. In addition, transfer students completing the Ohio Transfer Module also will qualify for a seamless allocation of their general education credits.

Wilmington College will begin offering this “Transfer Advantage” for students entering WC in fall 2018.

Heather Miller, transfer admission counselor, said the new policy can not only save students time and money in pursuing their bachelor’s degree, but it also should increase transfer students’ options for adding a minor or second major, or taking specialized elective courses at WC.

She added that it’s very likely that the vast majority of students would start their studies at WC with junior class status.

“The ‘Transfer Advantage’ gives transfer students an opportunity to hit the ground running at Wilmington College,” Miller said. “What makes it so unique is that it allows transfers from 50 states to benefit as a result of being enrolled at a regionally accredited institution.”

Miller noted Ohio’s 23 public community colleges and the nearby private school, Chatfield College, are all regionally accredited and Wilmington College recognizes A.A. and A.S. degrees from those institutions for a seamless transfer of general education credits for which students earned a C- or better.

She added that most of Ohio’s private, four-year schools require transfer students take, at their institutions, virtually the same courses they successfully completed at community colleges. Obviously, this can significantly increase the time and money spent while pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

“Wilmington College reviewed its policy and felt transfer students deserve credit for general education courses they took at two-year schools,” Miller said, noting that public four-year schools in Ohio are mandated by the state to accept these credits from their two-year counterparts, and WC is unique among most private colleges in the following suit.

“This will provide many students with an opportunity to finish their bachelor’s degree program after four years — two at their community college and the last two at WC,” she added.

“We’ve made the process for transfer students quick, simple and affordable.”